吳佩芸

Wu, Pei-yun

布袋戲、戲偶製作、偶頭、傳統戲偶

Taiwanese glove puppetry, Puppet manufacture, Puppet’s head, Traditional glove puppet

臺灣布袋戲於十九世紀中葉由中國閩粵地區傳入，從早期的南管、潮調和白字布袋戲，到北管布袋戲縱橫的時代，因臺灣尚無龐大的製偶需求，以及兩岸交通便利，戲班可於每年正月返鄉省親時順手採購，或委託往返兩岸從事貿易的貿易仲介（走水仔）購買，故清代至日治時期中國戲偶製作師未能來臺發展、傳承，直到歷經日治時期皇民奉公會的改革、戰後外臺戲復興的催化，才終於形成臺灣本土專業戲偶製作師，一九六○年代更因內臺戲的繁榮造就戲偶製作師的黃金時期。然而，隨著一九七○年代內臺戲的逐漸衰落，又面臨轉型為工業社會、都市快速發展的劇變，外臺戲的演出機會大量減少，以及外來文化強勢襲臺的打擊，加上外臺戲班多以壓低戲金酬勞來節省成本，導致傳統戲班處境愈發艱難，連帶傳統戲偶的製作乏人問津，傳統工藝技術面臨無人傳承的危機。為延續傳統戲偶製作的生命力，本研究旨在透過口述訪談的方式，建立目前傳統偶頭製作師的普查資料，並記錄其學習經歷、製作工序、戲偶作品與經營、技藝傳承狀況，掌握目前傳統偶頭製作界的職業生態。

Taiwanese glove puppetry, initially introduced from Fujian and Guangdong in the mid-19th century, has evolved through various stages from early Nan Kuan, Tio-tiau, and Peh-ji to the flourishing Pei Kuan Glove Puppetry. Historically, the puppetry industry thrived due to minimal production demands and convenient maritime connections across the Taiwan Strait, enabling puppetry theaters to easily procure puppets via family visits or through intermediary brokers. From the Qing Dynasty through the era of Japanese colonization, this practice precluded the necessity for Chinese puppet producers to establish themselves in Taiwan. It was not until organizational reforms during the Komin Hokokai and the advent of outdoor glove puppetry that Taiwan began to develop a native cohort of professional puppet makers.
The 1960s marked a golden era driven by the popularity of indoor glove puppetry. However, this was followed by a sharp decline in the 1970s, as rapid industrialization, urbanization, and the influx of foreign culture influences led to a decrease in outdoor puppetry performances. Economic pressures worsened the situation, causing many puppetry theaters to cut wages and making it harder to maintain traditional practices. The consequent decline in demand has precipitated a crisis for the craft’s transmission.
In response to these challenges, this research aims to revitalize traditional puppet manufacture through comprehensive oral interviews with current puppet manufacturers. This research documents their production techniques, manufacturing processes, portfolios of puppets, and related information. By establishing a detailed census of the industry, this study seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the current occupational ecology of the traditional puppet manufacture industry, thus ensuring the craft’s continued vitality and cultural relevance.